Propionibacterium acnes Suture Contamination in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Prospective Randomized Study

This report has been verified by one or more authors of the original publication.

126 patients scheduled for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were randomized to one of four shoulder skin preparation methods: a solution or 1% chlorhexidine gluconate and 70% isopropyl alcohol with or without an antibacterial adhesive drape, or a solution of povidone-iodine with or without an antibacterial adhesive drape. The purpose of this study was to determine if skin preparation with chlorhexidine plus a drape demonstrated a significantly lower rate of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) suture colonization compared to the other three groups. Compared to the povidone-iodine without drape group, the chlorhexidine plus drape group demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of positive culture identification. Statistical comparisons to the other two groups were not made.